Squamous cell carcinoma secondary to Buruli ulcer in West Africa

Buruli ulcer is an infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans occurring in tropi-cal areas. In West Africa, it is an emerging threat mainly affecting children aged under 15 years.This chronic disease is complicated by dystrophic scars in which squamous cell carcinoma canoccur in the long term.Patients and methods.-This is a retrospective study of squamous cell carcinomas in Buruliulcer scars seen at the Treichville University Hospital (Abidjan, Ivory Coast) over a five-yearperiod.Results.-During the study period, 8 cases were observed and concerned young adults presen-ting Buruli ulcer in their childhood. Tumours were restricted to the limbs, with loco-regionalinvasion. Treatment was primarily surgical. Four of the patients died.Discussion.-The risk of recurrence of cancer in these scars remains poorly evaluated, highligh-ting the importance of long-term monitoring strategies for human patients in order to ensurerapid identification of any changes in Buruli ulcer scars.